Teen Brain Development

Dr. Jay Giedd, chief of brain imaging in the child psychiatry branch at the National Institute of Mental Health, has spent more than 13 years performing MRIs and studying the brains of more than 1,800 kids. Through high-powered MRI technology, he has discovered that the adolescent brain, while fully grown in size, is still a long way from maturity.

Long after the size of the brain is established, it continues to undergo major stages of development. One of the last regions of the brain to mature is the pre-frontal cortex-home of the so-called “executive” functions-planning, setting priorities, organizing thoughts, suppressing impulses and weighing the consequences of one’s actions. This means the part of the brain young people need the most to develop good judgment and decision-making develops last!

This “under construction” nature of the adolescent brain helps explain why teenagers act they way they do, and why their behavior can be idealistic, energetic or enthusiastic at one moment, and cynical, lethargic and bored the next. At age 16, their bodies may look fully developed, but the minds are very much still in the development phase.

According to new studies, the pre-frontal cortex (CEO of the brain) usually does not reach a level of genuine maturity until someone reaches their mid-twenties! “It’s sort of unfair to expect [teens] to have adult levels of organizational skills or decision-making before their brains are finished being built”, says Giedd.

Knowing the limitations of the adolescent brain does not excuse bad behavior. It does, however, reinforce the need for parents to provide persistent support and guidance. More than ever, adolescents need their parents to be an integral part of their lives. It’s not butting in, it’s pouring in your love and guidance to protect their future hope, health and happiness.

The above page has been taken from the Medical Institute.